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3. 9 91 2 V.. o N d e t n .e t a P No. 615,030. Y E. MAERTENS.

PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING FAT.

(Application led Dec. 28, 1897.)

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No. 65,030. Patented Nov. 29, |898.

EfMAERTENS.

PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOB EXTRACTING FAT.

(pplication med Dec. 2s. 1897.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMILE MAER'IENS, OE PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING FAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters :PatentI No. 615,030, dated November 29, 1898. Application filed December 28, 1897. Serial No. 663,902. (No model.)

T0 all whom] it may con/cern:

Beit known that I, EMILE MAERTENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of and Apparatus for Treating Raw Wool and other Materials with Volatile Solvents, (for which I have obtained a patent in Germany, No. 98,743, dated August `8O, 1897; in Austria, No. 47/3,308, dated September 10, 1897, and in Hungary, No. 8,763, dated July 31, 1897;) andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The invention forming the subject of my present application for Letters Patent relates to improvements in apparatus for and processes of extracting from raw wool and other materials by means of suitable volatile solvents the resinous, oily, essential, fatty, and other similar matters associated therewith, said invention being an improvement on the processes and apparatus described and claimed by me in my United States Letters Patent dated September 10, 1895, and numbered 545,899 and 545,900.

The present invention relates more essentially to the economical removal and saving of the solvent adhering to the materialsafter their extraction, and more particularly to the economical and safe treatment of Wool and similar fibers with volatile solvents.

In a process of degreasing wool according to my invention the bers are treated in closed digesters until the complete extraction with the volatile solvents employed is effected, some of the principal new features of said process being as follows: I employ a gas which is contained in a holder. It is withdrawn from said holder for use and returned to the holder after such use to be repeatedly reused. The gas employed is compressed and used as a forcing or motive power or agent to circulate the solvents through the fibers under treatment. It is used to press the liquid solvent out of the bers as well as to blow out of them such solvent as has not been removed by pressure. It is used as a heat-car` rying medium to the fibers and as a solvent Vapor-carrying medium from the bers. It is used as an atmosphere wherein to carry on the extracting operation, for covering the solvent in the reservoirs, and for taking the place of the solvent removed from any of the elements forming part of the apparatus, and thus prevents the ignition of the solvent vapors by the electric or other spark which may accidentally be communicated to it, and since the gas is always moved in a closed circuit it prevents the loss of solvent vapors, and it can be used repeatedly without limit.

I would explain that the gas just referred to as being employed in my improved process is an inert gas or a gas which does not form explosive compounds with the vapors of the solvents used or with atmospheric ain-such, for example, as nitrogen or carbonio-acid gas. Hydrogen, illuminating-gas, and even atmospheric air can be used so far as the carrying out of the process is concerned; but hydrogen and carbureted hydrogen are less desirable on account of their inflammability and explosive properties when mixed with air, and even atmospheric air makes a very dangerous and explosive compound when mixed with the vapors of the solvents employed'in certain proportions, and it is therefore an undesirable and unsafe agent to use. Consequently without limiting myself to the use of any particular or specific gas or mixture of gases for carrying out my improved process I prefer and recommend the employment of inert gases or mixtures of such gases.

In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, which combined form a single figure representing a side elevation, in partial section, of a plant capable of performing the functions forming the subject of my present invention, A indicates a gas-holder.

B is a gas-compressor.

O is an exhauster or vacuum-pump.

D is a blower or a rotary and positive gas or air circulating pump.

E is a condenser wherein the cooling medium is water.

E is a heater, the heating medium being steam.

Gis a four-way valve used for reversing IOO the direction of motion of the circulating gas through the digesters. Y

II is a trap-tank forming a water seal between the gas in the holder and the rest of the system.

I and I are digesters wherein the wool or fibers are treated, as in extracting the grease, (YUC.

J, J', and J2 are storage-tanks for solvents of different degrees of purity or saturation.

K is an overflow-tank through which the compressed gas when liberated from any of the digesters or tanks returns to the holder. It also serves as a catch-basin for any liquid solvent carried along with the gas or for any solvent which might accidentally overfiow from the digesters or storage-tanks.

L is a separating-tank wherein the water coming from the steam used in the treating process or from the fibers is separated from the solvent.

M is a suction or vacuum main communicating with the suction ends of the exhauster C and blower D, but which (through the branch M, four-way valve G, heater F, condenser E, valve i3, and pipe N2) can also be made to communicate with the discharge end of the blower D.

N is adischarge or pressure main communicating with the discharge end of the blower, but which can also be put in communication with the suction end of said blower by the branch N, four-way valve, pipe N", and valve h3 and in communication with the atmosphere through branches N3 and N5.

O is a main supplying compressed gas to the system.

ID is a main leading any liberated gas back to the holder.

Q is a main communicating with the storage-tanks and for supplying solvent to the digesters.

R is a main communicating with the storage-tanks and receiving the returned or used solvent from the digesters.

S is a top connection located between and uniting the digesters, thereby allowing the escape of gas from one digester into the other when desirable.

T is a pipe through which gas from the holder A is admitted into the system via pipe I).

U is a pipe for conveying condensed vapors from the condenser E and suction end of blower D to tank L.

V is a pipe for supplying the compressor I3 with gas from the holder A.

)Y is a pipe adapted to convey condensed solvent from the surface of the water in the gas-holder tank into tank L.

X X are the doors through which the digesters are filled.

Y Y are the doors through which the digesters are emptied.

Z is a pipe leading from the storage-tanks to the distillery, where the wool-fat is recovered from the solvent.

The following is a description of the operation of the apparatus: The digesters I and I having been filled with wool through the upper openings or necks of the digesters, the several doors X and Y are then hermetieally closed, and in orderto make a vacuum in the digesters the latter are put into communication with the exhauster C, (through valves 7L t, main M, and valve 752,) thereby withdrawing the air from the digesters and discharging it into the atmosphere by the exhauster C, via valve a. Now when a vacuum of about twenty-eight or twenty-nine inches of mercury has been obtained the exhauster is stopped and all the valves previously opened are closed. The solvent from tank J (which contains solvent having considerable woolfat in solution) is brought into digester I by opening valves b and c, thus establishing communication between lthe tank and digester and at the saine time starting compressor li, followed by opening valve c, thereby allowing compressed gas to enter tank J and force its contents into digester I. \Vhen the latteris full of solvent, (which is shown by a gageglass,) the valves previously opened are closed and valve (Z opened and the compressed gas in tank J escapes back to the holder A via main P and tanks K and II. In order to force the solvent contained in digester I into digester I' and replace the solvent in digester I bythe solvent contained in tank J', (which is slightly impregnated with wool-fat from use in previous operations,) communication is established between com pressor B and tank J by opening valve e. Valves b and c are also opened, and when pressure appears on the pressure-gage of digester I the latter is put into communication at'its bottom with the top of digester I by opening valve c, thereby allowing the solvent contained in digester I to be diverted to the top of digester I', whereas the solvent contained in tank J fills digester I. Then the digester I is full, valves ZJ and c are closed, the compressor l5 stopped, and valve d opened, thus allowing the compressed gas contained in tank J to escape to the holder A via main P and tanks K and II. Now to rinse the wool or material under treatment with pure solvent tank J2 (which contains the latter) is put into communication with the compressor B (which is now started) by opening valve c2. The valve b2 is also opened, and as soon as pressure shows on the gages of the digesters the bottom of digester I is put into communication with tank Jby opening valves f and Z, and the clean solvent from tank J2 enters digester I, while the solvent which was contained in the latter digester escapes from its bottom into the top of digester I and the solvent contained in digester I' escapes through its bottom into the tank J. After a quantity of solvent equal to more than the contents of digester I has been let into the tank .I the valve Z is opened. This allows the solvent then contained in digester I and which in part origi- IOC nally came from tank J to renter this latter tank mixed with a quantity of what was originally pure solvent. By the time tank J is full the tank J2 will be empty of its solvent as well as digester I, and digester I will only contain a small amount of practically pure solvent. The compressor B is then stopped, valve l closed, as well as valves c, c, and e2, and valves Z2, (Z2, and f are opened. The gas contained in tank J 2 escapes to the holder via main P, valve d2, and tanks K and H, while the solvent still contained in digester I' and that which may drip from digester I enters tank J 2. Now in order to squeeze out the bulk of the solvent still retained by the wool valves f and f' are closed and valves g and g opened. The compressorB is then started and a strong gas-pressure is accumulated on top ot' the material contained in the digesters. By means of the thus compressed gas and the quick opening of valves f and f' the greater portion of the solvent retained by the fibers is expressed and run into the tank J 2. This last operation is repeated once or twice and then compressed gas is allowed to blow for a few minutes through the material, thereby practically removing all the solvent which can be eliminated from the fibers in liquid form. It is of course understood that the gas used for this purpose finds its way back to the holder A via tank J2, valve d2, main P, and tanks K and H. In order to eliminate the solvent still adhering to the fibers, all the valves previously opened are next closed and the digesters are put into communication at their upper ends with the suction of the blower Dthrough valves h h', main M, valve h2, branch M', four-way valve G, pipe N4, and valve h3, the bottom of the digesters being put in communication with the discharge or forcing end of said blower, which is now started, through valves t t', piping N, valve i2, branch N', four-way valve G, heater F, condenser E, and valve i2, at the same time circulating cold water through the condenser and steam through the heater, it being understood that the digesters, pipes, heater, condenser, and blower are filled with the gas formin g the circulating medium. The gas discharged bythe blower is deprived of moisture and solvent vapors by passing it through the condenser. It is warmed or heated by passing it through the heater. It enters the digesters in a dry state at their lower ends. It saturates itself with solvent vapors while passing upwardly throughthe wool or material in the digesters, such upward movement of the gas being effected by the'partial vacuum existing at the top of the digesters and caused by the suct-ion of the blowerD and .the resistance of the wool in the di gesters. Assoon as the solvent vaporladen gas has passed from the blower into the condenser itris stripped of all the solvent and moisture it has absorbed, is then reheated and repassed through the wool, the operation being continued in this unbroken circuit or cycle until it has deprived the wool of all the volatilizable solvent which it contained. During the circulation of gas through the fibers, as just described, and in order to maintain their proper hygrometric condition a small jet of steam is admitted in the cnrrent by pipes provided for the purpose, and that the contents at both ends of the digesters may receive as near as possible the same amount of heat the four-way valve Ghas been provided. By turning the wing of this valve one-fourth way around at stated intervals of time the suction and discharge of the blower D from and to the top and bottom of the digesters are alternated and an unequal treatment of the different parts of the digesters is thus avoided. The solvent and water vapors vwithdrawn from the fibers, and which condense in the blower and condenser, run through valves k and 7.6/ into pipe U and from the latter into tan z L. A small cock u', placed in pipe u, is use as a telltale to indicate when the solvent vapors have ceased coming over, thus indicating to the attendant that the drying or solvent-removing operation is completed. When this is accomplished, the gas is removed from the digesters, pipes, &c., and for this purpose the blower D is stopped, the valves t2, h2, t3, 713, and 7s are closed, and valves t and t2 on pipe leading to and from exhauster C are opened, at the saine time opening valve d4 in the gas-escape pipe leading from tank L. The vacuum-pump C is now started, by means of which the gas contained in the digesters and pipes (as well as any remnants or traces of solvent which may accidentally have been left in the wool and which is volatilized under the influence .of the heat in the material and the high vacuum produced) is withdrawn from that part of the system and returned to the gas-holder A via valve t', condenser E, tank L, main P, and tanks K and II. When a su fticiently high vacuum has been obtained, the pump C is stopped and all the valves previously open (except t', if', h, and h) are closed. The wool being now freed from solvent and in a dry condition and the digesters having been freed from gas, atmospheric air is next let into the two digesters by opening the valve m' of the air-pipe N5. The digesters themselves are then again put into communication with the blower D, which is started and made to discharge into the atmosphere through valve in. Finally, atmospheric air mixed with steam (admitted into pipe N through suitable connections) is now circulated through the contents of the digesters for two or three minutes, after which the Wool or material with which the digesters is charged will be found in proper condition to be removed from them. This may be effected after closing all the valves and stopping the blower D through the digester-doors Y.

I claim as my inventionl. In the art of removing solvent or residual solvent from iibrous and other materials containing the same, the improvement which ICO IIO

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consists in passing a suitable gas through the material, then freeing the gas wholly or in part from the solvent which it has absorbed, and finally reusing the gas substantially as described.

2. In the art of removing solvent or residual solvent from fibrous and other materials containing the same, the improvement which consists in first heating a suitable gas, then passing it through the said material, then cooling the gas whereby it is freed wholly or in part from solvent, aud then conducting the gas to a suitable holder substantially as described.

3. In the art of removing solvent or residual solvent from fibrous and other materials containing the same, the improvement which consists in passing a suitable gas through the material, circulating said gas in a closed circuit, freeing it wholly or in part from the solvent which it has absorbed, on its way from and before its return through the material substantially as described.

4. In the art of removing solvent or residual solvent from fibrous and other materials containing the same, the improvement which consists in passing a suitable gas through the material, circulating said gas in a closed circuit, heating it on its Way through the material so as to make its absorbent capacity greater and cooling it on its way from the material so as to free it wholly or in part from solvent, substantially as described.

5. In the art of removing solvent or residual solvent from fibrous and other materials containing the same, the improvement which consists in circulating through the material a suitable gas, which is drawn from a holder and is returned to said holder after use, substantially as described.

G. In the art of removing solvent or residual solvent from fibrous and other materials containing the same, the improvement which consists in the employment of a suitable gas or mixture of gases, drawn from a holder and used to form an atmosphere above the solventin the reservoirs, hereinbefore described, to circulate the liquid solvent through the material being' treated, to form a heat-carrying medium to the material and to serve as a solvent-vapor-carrying agent from said material, and after being devaporized wholly or in part, is returned to the holderaudis adapted to be repeatedly reused, substantially as described.

7. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from fibrous or other materials with volatile solvents and of removing solvent or residual solvent therefrom, the combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs for solvents, a vacuu m-pump arranged to pump air or gas out of the system into the atmosphere or to circulate the same through the system and suitably-connected valved piping for circulating the solvent air or gas substantially as described.

S. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from fibrous or other materials withvola-tile solvents and of removingsolvent or residual solvent therefrom, the combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs for the solvent, a gas-holder, a vacuum-pump arranged to pump air or gas out of the system into the atmosphere or into the gas-holder or to circulate the same through the system and suitably-connected valved piping for circulating the solvents and air or gas and for carrying the gas from the holder to the digesters, reservoirs, dsc., and for returning it to said holder, substantially as described.

9. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from fibrous or other materials, with volatile solvents and of removing solvent or residual solvent therefrom, the combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs, for the solvents, a vacuum-pump arranged to pump air or gas out of the system into the atmosphere or into the gas-holder or to circulate the same through the system, a gas-compressor and suitablyconnected valved piping for circulating the solvent and air or gas and for carrying the gas from the holder to the digesters, reservoirs, the., and for returning it to said holder, substantially as described.

10. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from fibrous or other materials, With volatile solvents and of removing solvent or residual solvent therefrom, thev combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs for solvents, a vacuum-pump arranged to pump air or gas out of the system into the atmosphere or into the gas-holder or to circulate the same through the system, a gas-eompressor,a condenser and suitably-connected valved piping for circulating the solvent and air or gas and for carrying the gas from the holder to the digesters, reservoirs, compressor, dsc., and for returning it to said holder substantially as described.

1l. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from fibrous or other materials with volatile solvents and of removing solvent or residual solvent therefrom, the combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs for the solvents, a gas-holder, a vacuum-pump,agasV compressor, a condenser, a heater, and suitably-connected valved piping for circulating the solvent and air or gas and for carrying the gas from the holder to the digesters, reservoirs, compressor, &c., and for returning it to said holder, substantially as described.

l2. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from fibrous or other materials with volatile solvents and of removing solvent or residual solvent therefrom, the combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs for solvents, a gas-holder, a vacuumpump, a gas-compressor, a condenser,a heater, a blower, and suitably-connected valved piping for circulating the solvent and air or gas and for carrying the gas from the holder to IOC IIO

the digesters, reservoirs, compressor, &7c., and I'orretu'rning it to said holder substantially as described.

13. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from fibrous or other materials with volatile solvents and of removing solvent or residual solvent therefrom, the combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs for the solvent, a gas-holder, a vacuum-pump, a gas-compressor, a condenser, a heater, a blower, a four-way valve, and suitably-connected valved piping for circulating the solvent and air or gas and for carrying the gas from the holder to the digesters, reservoirs, compressor, &c., and for returning it to said holder, substantially as described.

1l. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from fibrous or other materials with volatile solvents and of removingr solvent or residual solvent therefrom, the combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs for the solvents, a gas-holder, a vacuurn-pump, a gas-compressor, a condenser, a heater, a blower, a four-way' valve, a traptank, and suitably-connected valved piping for circulating the solvent and air or gas and for carrying the gas from the holder to the digesters, reservoirs, compressor, duc., and for returning it to said holder, substantially as described.

15. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from brous or other materials with volatile solvents and of removing solvent or residual solvent therefrom, the combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs for the solvents, a gas-holder, a vacuum-pump, a gas-compressor, a condenser, a heater, a blower, a four-Way valve, a traptank, Aan OverIioW-tank and suitably-connected valved piping for circulating the solvent and air or gas and for carrying the gas from the holder to the digesters, reservoirs, compressor,&c.,and for returningit to said holder, substantially as described.

16. In apparatus used in the art of extracting matters from fibrous or other materials with volatile solvents and of removing solvent or residual solvent therefrom, the combination of one or more digesters, one or more reservoirs for the solvents, a gas-holder, a vacuum-pump, a gas-compressor, a condenser, a heater, a blower, a four-way valve, a trapltank, an overflow-tank, a separating-tank,

and suitably-connected valved piping for circulating the solvent and air or gas and for carrying the gas from the holder to the digesters, reservoirs, compressor, dro., and returning it tO said holder, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMILE MAERTENS.

Vitnesses:

REMINGTON SHERMAN, GEO. Il. REMINGTON. 

